C5 oil Pressure gage
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: sarasota florida
C5 oil Pressure gage
Hi,
I'm a new guy on the block. I own a 2000 C5 in mint condition. It runs fine but recently the dash pressure gage bottoms out @80 PSI when the engine is turned on and the driver info read out button shows 180 PSI. The engine still runs fine and i've put about 100 miles on the car after the gage started acting up.
I suspect the oil pressure sensor is at fault but would like a opinion as to what other possibilities might cause this problem. I can do most vette fixes myself if given instructions
Chuck
merrittcs@gmail.com
I'm a new guy on the block. I own a 2000 C5 in mint condition. It runs fine but recently the dash pressure gage bottoms out @80 PSI when the engine is turned on and the driver info read out button shows 180 PSI. The engine still runs fine and i've put about 100 miles on the car after the gage started acting up.I suspect the oil pressure sensor is at fault but would like a opinion as to what other possibilities might cause this problem. I can do most vette fixes myself if given instructions
Chuck
merrittcs@gmail.com
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
That is a common failure on the C-5's these days. You will need to replace the sender which is behind the intake. Some people cut holes in their cowling and others don't. I'm one who wasn't going to cut anything. Removing the intake takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes and is fairly easy to do. When you buy a new sender, if at all possible, attempt to get a new brass one.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
There's plenty of reading on the topic in the archives. Many past threads include images and various methods to approach the problem.
In C5 Tech, use search or search this forum (in the red banner). Use keywords "oil sensor failure"...
In C5 Tech, use search or search this forum (in the red banner). Use keywords "oil sensor failure"...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Turn the key to run without starting the car. If your pressure is maxed out without the engine running then it is the pressure sensor. Do a search on the forum and you wil find many articles and ways to get at it for a R&R. Not that difficult and make sure the replacement has the brass base.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
You can actually do it without cutting or removing the intake, there is a video posted around here somewhere. Just need a few extensions and wobble joints but some people dont like that because you cant properly torque it down.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
The early replacement senders that GM had manufactured, were crap and they failed anywhere from minutes to days of being replaced. That's why so many, including myself, relocated the senders to make it easy to replace them. The replacements were made from alluminum rather than the original brass and there's a lot of differences of opinions on the cause of the new ones failing. From what I've read here, most are cases of the new one's internal seals leaking oil into the electronic portion of the sender, causing the premature failure. Personally, I tend to think this happened to due to the alluminum changing shape more than the brass, therefore the seal losing it.
I've heard that you can now get brass senders as replacements and that would be my recommendation.
I've heard that you can now get brass senders as replacements and that would be my recommendation.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: sarasota florida
TO ALL THAT RESPONDED TO MY OIL SENSOR PROBLEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I havent attemped the replacement job yet. I'll let you guys know how it turns out. Does anyone know the best place to order a new brass sensor?
Thanks again,
KCUHC (that's CHUCK spelled backwards)
Thanks again,
KCUHC (that's CHUCK spelled backwards)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
Replaced one last weekend got a brass base at O'Reilly's
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Destin FL
I had the same symptoms you described. Replaced mine last month. Didn't know to look for a brass one. The one I replaced (from AutoZone) had a base that appeared to be aluminum (not brass). Took me about an hour removing the intake. It takes a 1-1/6" socket which I didn't have and the wife had to make a run to another auto parts store in the middle of the job to buy one. Back to normal and so far no issues.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
I replaced mine last weekend. My 1 1/16 wouldn't grab the old brass one. I finally had to pull the manifold and buy a 27mm which also seemed pretty loose. Inexplicably the 'special oil pressure' socket was too tight to fit.
Pulling the manifold seemed WAY easier than I thought it would be. This car is getting to be a pain the a$$ with all the little things that keep breaking but it is easy to work on.
Pulling the manifold seemed WAY easier than I thought it would be. This car is getting to be a pain the a$$ with all the little things that keep breaking but it is easy to work on.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land TX
I had trouble finding a socket that would work; it needs to be thin to fit. I found that Home Depot has a set of large sockets for in the pluming department for various types of sinks. They also have individual sockets, but the set was so cheap, I just bought that ($20).
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
O'Reilly has a single 1 1/16 inch socket that will fit with lifetime warranty when you get the OPS. Spray a little adhesive spray in socket let get tacky it will pull OPS right out. Or you can use ATV. The ETZ method is doable in 20 mins but you can not torque OPS. Don't have to remove intake. Just an option.
